Improvement in buckles and loops for shawl-straps



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES S. TOPHAM, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN BUCKLES AND LOOPS FOR SHAWL-STRAPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 152,193, dated June 16, 1874 application tiled March 19, 1874.

` To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, JAMEs S. TornAM, of lVashington, in the county of Tashingtou and in the District of Columbia, have invented eertain new and useful Improvements in Buckles and Loops for Shawl-Straps and Traveling- Bags; and do hereby' declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to theletters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this speciiication.

My invention relates to the construction of metal loops for shawl-straps and other purposes, as will be more fully hereinafter set forth.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation, referring to the annexed drawing, whichA represents various forms of loops, all embodying my invention.

A A represent metal loops, of various forms, such as are used for shawl-straps or other similar purposes, and to one bar of which the strapB is attached. Heretofore the buckle for fastening this strap has been made separate from the loop, and either attached to the same or to one end of the strap7 in which lat ter case the strap only has passed through the loop.

To simplify the construction and lessen the expense, I attach or pivot an outwardlycurved tongue, C, on one of the cross-bars of the loop A, so that when the strap is passed around the shawl, and through the loop, the tongue will engage in one of the holes of the strap. In each instance the ton gue is made outwardly curved, as shown, so that its point will fall down into the oriiice in the strap by its own gravity. The tongue is thus convex in its center, toward the point of pressure, acting on the principle of an arch, so that the strain exerted thereon is divided between its two ends.

It will readily be seen that in thus fastening the strap more purchase. can be obtained to strap the shawl than in the ordinary mode of fastening.

On such loops as are provided with handlecaps D, of any construction, I cut a slot in the shank or neck of the handle-cap, where it passes around a cross-bar of the loop, and attach the tongue C around the same cross-bar, and in the slot of the handle-cap, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5.

In Fig. l, I show a bridge, A, stamped or pressed out of sheet metal, the center part A2 being cut at the ends on each side, as shown in Fig. S, and the metal bent under to form a round bar, the thus bent part forming a brace for the sides of the bridge.

In Fig. 6, I show a very simple form of loop struck up from one piece of sheet metal, with a single pin through it.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with a loop, A, provided with a cross-bar or bridge, and a gravitating tongue, C, of a slotted handle cap or plate, D, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

2. rThe bridge A1 struck up from a single piece of sheet metal, with central wings bent around to form a cylinder, and provided with a tongue, C, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of March, 1874.

JAMES S. TOPIIAM.

lVitiiesses:

C. L. EVERT, A. N. MARR. 

